FROM STAFF REPORTS

MONTEVALLO – The University of Montevallo women’s basketball team defeated visiting Georgia College 63-57 in a Peach Belt Conference contest Feb. 7 at BankTrust Arena.

Sophomore Taylor Beverly led the Falcons (14-9 overall, 9-5 in Peach Belt Conference) with 18 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the floor. Beverly, who added a game-high 11 rebounds to go along with four blocked shots and three steals, posted her team-leading 10^th double-double of the season.

Freshman Jacquelyn Thompson added 14 points on 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc and a 5-of-6 performance at the charity stripe. Senior Trena Moore-Smith chipped in 12 points and a game-high 11 assists as she posted her second double-double of the season.

Junior Shay Bonner contributed seven points, seven rebounds and three assists, while senior Zena Nasiloski added six points and four boards. Seniors Alex Strickland and Carolyn Taite chipped in three points each.

Georgia College opened the game with a 8-5 run, capped with a jumper by Thresia Elskamp with 16:31 left in the first half. A layup by Bonner gave the Falcons a 11-10 lead with 12:58 remaining in the half before Montevallo stretched its lead to as many as seven points down the stretch in the opening half.

The Falcons led 24-17 following a 3-pointer by Thompson with 4:42 left in the half. A jumper by Nasiloski pushed the lead to 28-21 with 2:12 remaining in the opening half before the Bobcats closed the half with a 4-0 run to cut the Falcons’ lead to 29-28 heading into the locker room at halftime.

Georgia College took a 31-29 lead on the opening possession of the second half following a 3-pointer by Shanteona Keys. Montevallo took the lead for good following a 3-pointer by Moore-Smith with 8:36 remaining in the game, which gave the Falcons a 44-42 advantage.

Moore-Smith’s 3-pointer sparked a 8-0 run as Montevallo stretched its lead to 49-42 following a jumper by Beverly with 6:36 left in the game. The Falcons briefly took a double-digit lead following a jumper by Beverly with 2:30 remaining in the second half, which gave Montevallo a 55-45 lead. Georgia College cut the deficit to six inside the final minute but couldn’t get any closer.

The Falcons return to action Saturday, Feb. 9 with a trip to Morrow, Ga. to face Peach Belt Conference foe Clayton State University. Tip off is set for 2:30 p.m. CST.